Did you know the Bintulu Melanaus called it a day for the Pirates of the South China Seas?
A palm named Licuala bintulensis? That the first democratic style state assembly in Borneo was convened here in 1867?

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Early Beatles Days in Bintulu.

Thanks to the SMK days at Bintulu in the early 60's.

We were then exposed to the outside world. Singing and memorising the Beatles songs were real entertaining and an excellent way to know English language cliches, intonation, nuances etc.

Our international exposure came quite late in life compared to today's generation who are exposed extremely early in the global entertainment business through astro, dvd, vcd, ipod, and the internet. With little choice, we really valued the singles that hit the charts in UK or US. We were always anticipating for the next hit song to memorise and play on the guitars. And kept track we did through the local newspapers, radio and rarely the records.

The list of singles that topped the charts in UK or US and managed to reach our shores were:

1) Love Me Do (1963)

2) P.S. I Love Yo ( 1963)

3) From Me to You (1963)

4) She Loves You (1963)

5) I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963)

6) Can't BuyMe Love ( 1964)

7) A Hard Day's Night ( 1964)

8) I Feel Fine ( 1964)

9) Eight Days A Week ( 1964)

10) Ticket to Ride( 1965)

11) Help (1965)

12) Yesterday (1965)

13) Day Tripper ( 1965)

14) We can work it Out ( 1965)

Note: Then in 1966 I went to Tanjong Lobang College to pursue my secondary and form six ducation. But we were ardent fans and when we were back for the school holidays we continued strumming our guitars, putting on Beatles hairstyle and shouting "Yeah, Yeah,Yeah".

Paperback Writer( 1966)

Yellow Submarine ( 1966)

Eleanor Rigby ( 1966)

Penny Lane (1966)

All Yo Need is Love ( 1967)

Hello, Goodbye ( 1967)

Lady Madonna ( 1968)

Hey Jude (1968)

Get Back (1969)

The Ballad of John and Yoko ( 1969)

Something ( 1969)

Let it Be ( 1970)

The Long and Winding Road(1970)

P.S. In 1970 the Beatles as a group broke up. But those early years will always be remembered by me as one of the most happy musical moments in my life.